Design boards are essentially a hand-held version of a design wall. I first learned about design boards at a retreat with Lori Holt back in 2019. We actually made our own design boards as one of the retreat projects. For quilters, they are great for holding bits and pieces of blocks or smaller projects. Ready-made design boards in a variety of sizes are available through Riley Blake Designs. Retail prices range from around $15 to $30 per design board.
You can DIY multiple designs boards for the cost of a single ready-made one. Basic supplies needed: a piece of foam core board, scrap batting and a couple of jelly roll strips. You will need either a glue gun or Heat & Bond Ultra (in the red package) with a mini iron to affix the border trim.
I prefer to make my design boards using self-adhesive foam core board (I find it at Hobby Lobby), felt and the Heat & Bond Ultra (on the roll) method. Note: a glue gun will still come in handy to hold the mitered corners in place. If I can’t find self-adhesive foam core board, I’ll use spray baste to hold the batting/felt in place.
Foam core board can be found in the school supply section at Dollar Tree, Wal-Mart, Office Depot, Hobby Lobby and Michael’s. It usually comes in a 20″ x 30″ sheet and quality can vary, so compare before you buy. I cut mine to the desired size using a 60mm rotary cutter. Personally, I like an 18″ to 20″ square board for larger quilt blocks and a 10″ to 12″ square board for smaller quilt blocks. And yes, I have been known to Frankenbatt leftover pieces of foam core board to make one more design board.
Design board made from leftover foam core board pieces (taped together with painter’s tape).
Quilt shop fabric in my area is now $14.00 + tax per yard. For charity or donation quilts that require 4 yards to make a quilt back, $60 per quilt isn’t sustainable for my budget over the long haul. Nor does it seem to be sustainable to those in my quilt bee group. Those ladies are a thrifty lot! Many only buy backing fabric for a donation quilt if they absolutely have to.
Sources of free to less expensive quilt backing fabric:
1. Free table at quilt guild meetings. 2. Community service fabric donations (sometimes batting is also available). 3. Shopping your quilty BFF’s fabric stash or scoring big at a destash sale. 4. Pieced backing using fabrics from your own stash. 5. Flat sheets (twin or full size) from big box stores or thrift stores. 6. Fabric cuts from thrift shops (like Mostly Mutts or Scraplanta). 7. Hobby-Lobby when quilting cottons are 30% off. 8. Michaels – Fabric Editions prints that are $3.99 per yard. Order online for store pick-up. 9. Wal-Mart – Waverly precuts are available in 2 yard bundles for less than $10. 10. Mark-down section at your favorite quilt shop.
Me? I check the free table, ask Community Service or see if I can piece odd fabrics from my stash to make a quilt back that coordinates with the top. If not, I’ll usually hit Hobby Lobby or Wal-Mart for suitable backing fabric. I can usually get the fabric I need for about $20-$25. That fits my budget.
For personal projects, I’ll buy full-price fabric from the quilt shop if the project calls for it. However, I still shop Hobby Lobby and the clearance sections of nearby quilt shops to find coordinating backing fabric.
Had to buy a replacement rotary blade for my Cricut Maker. Michaels in Alpharetta had them in stock. This location will be the big cut-to-order fabric store on my side of ATL. Saw some of the cherry fabric I’d bought on sale at Joann before they closed. Same fabric bolt is now $8.99 per yard. Michael’s rarely puts fabric on sale and it is usually excluded from coupons. Still adjusting to my new crafty shopping options and sorely missing Joann’s.
Over the past year, I’ve noticed my personal sewing space at quilt retreats and classes shrinking. Shared space seems to be the new normal rather than having a table all to yourself. Before packing, contact the event organizer and ask about the amount of sewing space allotted per participant. Do you get a 6′-8′ table all to yourself or do you have to share with another person? If shared, are you side-by-side or offset on opposite sides of the table? (Psst, offset & opposite gives me more room to work).
My set-up in about 36″ of workspace at a quilt retreat. At a retreat with an entire table to myself – a wonderful experience!
Ways to deal with tight sewing spaces:
(1) Bring a smaller sewing machine. Leave the 30″ wide Baby Lock Allegro at home. Most sewing machines with up to an 8″ throat space should work in a 3-4 foot workspace. If you plan to take a sewing machine on an airplane, make sure it fits in a case that can go under the seat in front of you. While you may not experience issues getting overhead bin space, planning ahead might avoid the dreaded “gate check” on full flights (especially if you are in a later boarding group). Airlines are typically not responsible for any damage that may occur in a gate checked situation. Alternatives: Ask about machine rental. Have your machine professionally packed to ride in the cargo hold or ship it ahead of time.
Travelpro Maxlite 5 underseat rolling tote with my sewing machine ready to fly to a retreat.
My travel machine of choice is an Elnita EC30. In the past, I took a 3/4 size Elna STAR edition (similar to the Janome Jem 720). It’s a great choice for retreats & classes; however – for me – the Elnita EC30 offers more features, prettier stitches, sews faster and also fits in the same Travelpro rolling case. There are several other machines that fit this smaller size footprint (machine width less than 15.25″) from the vintage Singer Featherweight to the mechanical Janome Signature Charm at Wal-Mart to the new computerized Bernina 325/335. Pick what works best for your needs, preferences and budget.
(2) Cull your presser feet. Do you really want to schlep ALL your presser feet to a retreat or class – especially if you are flying? Not me.
Based on my experience, the following presser feet should have you covered in most scenarios*:
Presser Foot
Description
All purpose/zigzag foot
Versatile and useful for various stitches.
1/4″ foot with guide
Ideal for accurate seam allowances.
Open toe foot
Great for visibility while sewing.
Zipper foot
Specifically designed for inserting zippers.
Walking foot with guides
Helps feed multiple layers evenly.
*Always check your project directions/retreat instructions to make sure you pack any specialty presser feet required. Occasionally, you need an edgestitch foot, darning/FMQ foot or buttonhole foot.
(3) Bring a smaller extension table. Think 12″ x 16″ or less. I have a Sew Steady Junior Size table (11″ x 15″) that I take to retreats and sew days.
(4) Add a stick on LED light strip strategically placed round the needle area to illuminate a dim sewing area. This can make a task lamp optional, unless you plan to sew at night.
(5) Pack a small power strip or extension cord with at least 4 outlets and USB connections. This helps corral all the power cords for your sewing machine, LED light strip, travel iron and task lap, while still charging your phone.
(6) Create a sewing machine first aid kit: Two packs of extra needles, bobbins, spool caps, hump jumper, small oil pen, lint brush, screwdrivers, tweezers or hemostat. Include spools of off-white, beige or light gray thread. You could even keep your presser feet in here.
(7) Keep a digital copy of your sewing machine manual on your phone or tablet. This cuts down on paper clutter and is one less thing you have to keep track off.
(8) Precut your projects, label everything and place them in small baggies or lay them out on design boards.
(9) Bring a folding TV tray to use as a cutting/pressing station. This really extends your work area, especially when you are assigned half of a 6 foot table.
(10) Streamline the sewing notions you bring to the retreat. In a 36″ space, a small pair of scissors, seam ripper, pins/pincushion and a purple thang will be all you have room to keep to the right of your machine. Pack all other notions in a tote bag that you can easily retrieve them and return as needed.
My personal mantra for packing for sew days, classes and retreats is “Less is More.” I keep a basic set of sewing supplies/rulers/mats for travel and add/subtract to this based on the event. I’ll either take my Elnita EC30 or my Singer Featherweight. If driving, I’ll add a task lamp and folding TV tray. I always make sure to pack my memory foam seat cushion – even when flying.
Come Stitch With Me 